Taken together, these three windows represent the elements of earth, air and water, thus, in the context of the War Memorial being a testament to the men whose operations were carried out on land, sea and in the air.

They are the most detailed and complex of Strachan’s windows in the church. These and the altar were again dedicated by Archbishop Lang, this time on 21 October 1933, the service being broadcast by the BBC.

The theme of the central window is Air and Fire and has particular significance as a war memorial, the central composition being a cenotaph, supported by the shadowy figures of Fortitude, Faith, Love and Justice, being the qualities of the men remembered. Above is the symbol of the Trinity and six spheres representing the days of creation. Below is a depiction of a Belgian village in wartime.

The theme of the left had window, which was filled with rubble prior to this window being created, is Land. The central composition is the first death, with Adam standing over the body of his dead son. To the left violence is symbolised by a conqueror attended by captives in chains. To the right, by contrast, peace is symbolised by a man at an altar in a wild landscape, awed by the eclipse of the sun. Below are three panels; on the left St Leonard choosing his hermitage; in the centre monks bring stone effigies to the new church from old Winchelsea; on the right Edward I receives plans of the new church.

The theme of the right hand window is Sea. The central composition is the mystery of the ocean as the source of all life, with a coiling monster held in check by angel forms, typifying the conflict of good and evil and hinting at the origins of war. Below is a vision of the Winchelsea of old, with the sea at its base and ships sailing close to the walls

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Parish of Winchelsea

St Thomas of Canterbury
Winchelsea

St Richard of Chichester
Winchelsea Beach

WHO WE ARE

We are an open, welcoming church, which exists for the community as a whole and where everyone is valued and respected.
We are called to serve Christ in the world, sharing the joy of God’s unconditional love in faith and action. We commit ourselves to praying and working for a world where love, reconciliation, equality and peace can prevail.